Lumbar Spine Injuries in Recreational Athletes: A Review

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Lumbar spine pathology is increasingly prevalent in active, aging populations.
• Recreational athletes face unique challenges in diagnosis and management due to return-to-activity demands and fewer resources compared to professionals.
• Common lumbar pathologies include disk herniation, spondylolysis, and disk degeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diagnosis and management of lumbar spine pathologies in recreational athletes.
• To discuss non-surgical and surgical treatment options and their outcomes.
• To highlight the importance of return-to-sport considerations for this population.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of current evidence on lumbar spine pathology in recreational athletes.
• Analysis of non-surgical and surgical management strategies.
• Evaluation of outcomes related to return to sport.

Main Results:

• Non-surgical management yields excellent outcomes for most recreational athletes with lumbar spine pathologies.
• Surgical intervention is effective for athletes who fail conservative treatment or have neurological risks.
• Evidence supports return to sport after both non-surgical and surgical interventions.

Conclusions:

• Most lumbar spine pathologies in recreational athletes can be managed effectively non-surgically.
• Minimally invasive surgical options are increasingly viable and popular.
• Further research is needed to optimize return-to-activity protocols for recreational athletes.